them; who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work: (See Acts xiii. 13.) and the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder One from the Other; and so Barnabas took Mark and sailed into Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed; being recommended by the Brethren unto the Grace of GOD; and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the Churches-Acts xv. 36 to 41. But this disunion was not lasting. Christianity is a Religion of peace; and though differences in judgment and feeling may occasionally arise, they are not suffered to break down the bond of Brotherhood altogether; and opportunities of reconciliation and co-operation are fondly embraced. Paul, in mentioning the Marcus then with him, and joining in the Christian salutation in his Letter to the Colossians, had written previously, with all the air of authority which he could exercise over their feelings, to receive Barnabas should he go to them; and to receive him doubtless as a true Minister of The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, and to be fully confided in for the soundness of his doctrine. And, upon an after occasion, John Mark had so influenced Paul by his improved manner and confirmed proofs of faith, that when, under Paul's lengthened imprisonment in Rome, he wrote his second Epistle to Timothy, he said, Only Luke is with me; adding, Take Mark, and bring him with thee! for he is profitable to me for the Ministry-2 Tim. iv. 11.The admonition of the Apostle James is not only to confess our faults One to Another, but also to pray One for Another; adding, the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous Man availeth much-Jas. v. 16. Be ye perfect, even as your FATHER, Which is in Heaven, is Perfect!-Matt. v. 48- —was our SAVIOUR's Encouraging Exhortation; and What He would Admonish, He Knew, by the Accepted Agency of The HOLY SPIRIT, would be accomplishable. To be like our Heavenly FATHER in all possible resemblance is indeed a Privilege, that should be reverently hailed, and supplicatingly sought. And to go on unto Perfection is the injunction of the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews-vi. 1. Their FellowCountryman of Colosse, Epaphras, manifested the truest Patriot spirit, and the Catholic feeling of Christianity in embracing, in his prayers and in his labours of love, Others, though not of his Patriot Fold-the Converts to the Same Saving Faith both in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

VERSES 14 to 16.-Luke, the beloved Physician, and Demas, greet you! Salute the Brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the Church, which is in his house! And when this Epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea!

Beloved indeed in that and in every succeeding Generation the Sainted Luke has been most deservedly, not only for his supportive companionship and adherence to the laborious and persecuted Paul, but for That Edition of The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, Which is so peculiarly Full of the Riches of the Knowledge of the History of our SAVIOUR and of Prophetic Elucidation connectedly with It. Amongst the most Endeared of the Foremost Saints in Light and Life Eternal will Luke be hailed, and his SAVIOUR Blessed for having Put it into his mind so to Benefit Mankind through his willing Agency.-- A Church in a house, that is, a Family of unfeignedly devoted Servants to the faith of JESUS, in a period when Persecution so fearfully and unsparingly beset the Professors of that faith, was indeed a Light shining in a dark corner of the Earth; and to have the courage of concentrating around All who profess in a neighbourhood the disposedness to follow CHRIST, when Some might, from the weakness of their nature under threatenings and trials, betray the Assembly, was creditable in that Infancy of the Faith. The interchange of Literary communication between the two Cities, Colosse and Laodicea, was thus Parentally encouraged by the Apostle,

that the Spirit of Brotherhood, in the Fellowship of CHRIST and His Religion, might be Strengthened, and, as doubtless the Apostle hoped, Confirmed. But alas! for Laodicea!In his last Letter to the faithful Timothy, when urging him to do his diligence to come shortly to Paul; he says, 'for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present World, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Titus unto Dalmatia: only Luke is with me-2 Tim. iv. 9 to 11.- -St. Paul speaks of all the Churches of the Gentiles giving thanks to Priscilla and Aquila, who had a Church in their house, as strenuous Helpers in CHRIST JUSUS; and who had, for the preservation of Paul's life, imminently hazarded their own--Rom. xvi. 3, 5; 1 Cor. xvi. 19. In writing to the Thessalonians, Paul charges them by The LORD, that That Epistle should be read unto all the holy Brethren-1 Thess. v. 27; the true description of a Church in CHRIST, or Christian Congregation.The Epistle to the Laodiceans, in its original at least, seems not to have been preserved; but a Compilation from the leading Doctrines of the Apostle's other Epistles has been formed many centuries back; and Dr. Adam Clarke, in his Edition and Commentary on the Bible, presents the Latin Specimen of it with his own translation into English; and though he is decidedly of opinion, that it is not a genuine writing of St. Paul, there appears a happy combination and selection, within a comparatively small compass, of What is peculiarly instructive and impressive in the more enlarged writings of that Gifted Man, and none that cannot be proved by passages in his more extended works.

VERSES 17, 18.-And say to Archippus, Take heed to the Ministry, which thou hast received in The LORD, that thou fulfil it.' The salutation by the hand of me, Paul. Remember my bonds! Grace be with you! Amen.

Even the most Faithful, as their own hearts will tell them, need admonishing in the discharge of the arduous duties to which the Ministration of the high Office of a Priest in CHRIST's Church, and of a Shepherd over His Flock, calls them; on whom, in a degree, the Salvation of Immortal Souls in all ages and ranks of their Congregation and Neighbourhood may more or less depend. And the Apostle's own frequent invocation of the prayers of Others, that he might be Continued and Upheld by DIVINE Grace, in an obedience unto Holiness, is an evidence, that such was his own feeling and consciousness. And, when contemplating the varied duties of a Minister of CHRIST in its most absorbing and important results, if rightly executed, and in its awful tendency, if carelessly or hypocritically engaged in, well may the advice be pressed upon every professing Servant of The LORD to take heed to his ways, and that both in heart and Soul, to the utmost of his abilities and opportunities, he do the Great Work Set before him; and in seeking by all means the Salvation of Others, through a lively faith in the Great Office of CHRIST, as our REDEEMER and INTERCESSOR, and in the Imparted Sanctification of The HOLY SPIRIT, he may most effectually, through the same prevailing faith, insure his own. It is probable, that though the Apostle might have employed an Amanuensis to have written from his dictation the bulk of the Epistle, he here took the pen and wrote his own name, prefaced by his warm-hearted and comprehensive salutation, comprising the assurance of his unceasing regard and anxious desire for their Eternal Good. He asks to be borne in mind as a Prisoner of JESUS CHRIST, and for the Truth of His Gospel; thus impressing their minds, that, if in the Same Great Cause they were Called to suffer, he was a Sufferer also; and, amidst his sufferings and the dangers in prospect from imprisonment, he would be faithful unto death, looking forward to the Crown of Rejoicing amidst the Eternal Glories of The Incarnate SAVIOUR, in His KINGDOM of Unbroken Peace and Righteousness and Holiness and Love.

His concluding prayer for Grace to be with them, though but one word, how much does It embrace! It is indeed the Life of GOD in the Soul of Man. It is That, on Which Angelic Natures subsist. And to every means of obtaining It should therefore our hearts be unfailingly directed, that That Life may be Evidenced in us also! And to this, as the wisest of Counsel from Above, should every Reader and Hearer of The Word of GOD answer, So be it, LORD JESUS, for Thy Love's Sake!Archippus seems to have been an influential Member of the Communion of the Faithful, which assembled in the house of Philemon, and whom Paul characterizes as his Fellow Soldier under the Banner of the Cross of CHRIST, where valour is of the truest kind, and victory, under perseverance in fighting the good Fight of Faith, certain, and the Fruits thereof a Crown of Imperishable Glory-Philemon 2. The admonition to him to fulfil the Ministerial duties, with which he was signally intrusted by the Apostle, was doubtless with a similar injunction as that, he gave to Timothy, to be an Example of the Believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in Spirit, in faith, in purity; giving attendance to reading, to exhortation, to Doctrine; neglecting not the Gift, that was in him; but meditating upon Those Things, and giving himself wholly to Them, that his profiting in such Ministry might be apparent; and that by continuing in That Doctrine, he might both save himself and Those, that heard him-1 Tim. iv. 12 to 16. And to which Archippus seems with fidelity to have attended; and blest indeed must he have felt in his expiring moments on reflection, that Such had been his employment of the Heavenly Gift, That had been Graciously Imparted to him for good to Others, as well as to his own Soul.In St. Paul's Second Letter to the Thessalonians, when concluding with his customary salutation in his own hand-writing, he adds, which is the token in every Epistle; so I write-2 Thess. iii. 17.-The Writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews (fully believed to be Paul,) urges on them the remembrance of Those, who were in bonds for the Cause of CHRIST, and the Acknowledgment of His Gospel, as Alone Teaching the Way of Salvation; and to consider themselves as in spirit bound with them; and in like manner to sympathize with All, that were in adversity, through the prevalence of Persecution then raging against the Adherents to the True Faith, by the restless Spirits of the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, All in inseparable league and in insatiable malice to overthrow or suppress It. But the Grace of Heavenly Consolation from the Prospective Deliverance in the Life to come, was an ample Support under every such trial to All, who in heart and Soul accepted It, in the love of It-Heb. xiii 3,25.

PHILEMON, CHAPTER I.

VERSES 1 to 3.-Paul, a Prisoner of JESUS CHRIST, and Timothy our Brother, unto Philemon, our dearly Beloved and Fellow-Labourer; and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus, our Fellow-Soldier; and to the Church in thy house; Grace to you and Peace from GOD our FATHER, and The LORD JESUS CHRIST!

Paul was at this time in bonds and under a Military Guard in the Imperial City of Rome, where his freedom might at once have been obtained and his talents have raised him perhaps to pre-eminent Worldly distinction, had he abandoned the Cross and the Cause of CHRIST; and, though once having gloried Therein, have at length determined to know JESUS no more. But Paul felt the Force of DIVINE Truth, and knew, that on a continued observance of It depended his Destiny in Everlasting Life, and that the sorrows and sufferings of this life, however acute and however protracted, are not worthy to be compared or to stand for a moment in competition with the Glories, that await the Redeemed in CHRIST JESUS in the Life to Come. To be, in the true spirit of Paul's meaning a Prisoner of JESUS CHRIST, is to be Eventually and Everlastingly attached to Him, but with the freedom of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light, amidst Perfect Joy and unbroken Peace, Where the mind is unshackled and the thoughts not only breathe but are Allowed to burst forth in delightful communion, based, as they then will be, in perfect purity.-Though Philemon was the Person to whom this Letter was written, as the One, the most prominent and active in the Christian cause in his Locality, having offered and dedicated his house to be the Seat of the Christian Assemblies in his Neighbourhood, by thus concentrating them there, so as to form a Communion of worship and a School for DIVINE Instruction, at the peril nevertheless of his being the leading Object of hostility and persecution by those, who sought by every means relentlessly to put down That Rising Faith in CHRIST and His Gospel; yet there were Others, whom Paul characterizes as Fellow-Labourers and Fellow-Soldiers; as filling Stations in their several degrees most usefully administrative to the Exposition of Christian Principles, and a practical confirmation of Them in the Life and conversation of Those, who were initiating in Its Doctrine, and were thus to learn the different Offices of Its Discipline. Timothy is spoken of as One, endeared by the fond Relationship, that Fraternal love cements, and he is joined with Paul in the offerings of the heart's tribute to Philemon and Those around him. To them the Riches of DIVINE Love, in Its Fullest and Exhaustless Influences, is Commended, and sought for by inward prayer; the prayer of the heart, which assuredly ascendeth on the wings of faith to The GOD, Who Heareth prayer, and Who Delighteth in All, who so come to Him with holy confidence, in full reliance on the Great and Effectual Intercession of His Incarnate SON. Grace, and PeaceGrace from The HOLY SPIRIT, through the Intercession and Imputed Righteousness of The SON of GOD; and Peace from The FATHER, as the Earnest of His Reconciliation and Adoption through His Love of The SON and Acceptance of His Meritorious Mediation on behalf of the Penitent and Believing of all Generations.- -From his Prison Paul wrote also to the Ephesians, styling himself, The Prisoner of JESUS CHRIST for you Gentiles-iii. 1. Though sometimes destitute, Paul at others had the delight and support of companionship in his Spiritual labours, for as here, so also in his Letter to the Philippians, he speaks of Epaphroditus as a Brother, and Companion in labour, and FellowSoldier, and as moreover ministering to the Apostle's wants-ii. 25. In his Letter to the Colossians Paul wrote, Say to Archippus, 'Take heed to the Ministry,

which thou hast received in The LORD, that thou fulfil it-iv. 17. Archippus therefore seems to have acted up to his profession of faith, and to have justified the Apostle's confidence in him.-The first Churches of the Christians were assemblages of them in private houses; but as Paul elsewhere observes, such Appropriations were made often at the peril of life amidst the insatiable and exterminating spirit of persecution, that was raging at that time; for in alluding to the Church, that was in the house of Priscilla and Aquila, whom he characterizes as his Helpers in CHRIST JESUS, he added in testimony of their devotedness, Who for my life laid down their own necks-Rom. xvi. 3 to 5.The Salutation of Paul to the Ephesians and to Such as were faithful in CHRIST JESUS was, 'Grace be to you, and Peace from GOD our FATHER and from The LORD JESUS CHRIST!'—i. 1,2. Grace being the Outpouring

of The HOLY SPIRIT.

VERSES 4 to 7.--I thank my GOD, making mention of thee always in my prayers; hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward The LORD JESUS, and toward all Saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing, which is in you in CHRIST JESUS: for we have great joy and consolation in thy love; because the bowels of the Saints are refreshed by thee, Brother.

The SOURCE of All Real Blessings is The AUTHOR of our Nature; and by His Providence or His Grace They are Supplied. Deeply thankful therefore should we be at all times, and under all circumstances; remembering even when under affliction, that whom The LORD Loveth, He Chasteneth. One mode of thankfulness, and that which is in the power of the Poorest, in return for Brotherly or Sisterly or Neighbourly kindnesses, is to include the Offerers of them in our prayers and commendations to the Mercy and Guidance and Love of GOD, in and through our ADVOCATE with The FATHER, even CHRIST JESUS our SAVIOUR. Faith, when in real possession of the heart, manifests itself in continual exercises of good-will and effectual aid towards All, with whom the Possessor of it has to do, in soundness of counsel, in serviceable offices, and courtesy of manners. Such is the necessary effect of really being Engrafted as Branches into The True VINE, that Fruit is borne, and That Fruit Such as The SAVIOUR will Accept when in The KINGDOM of His Saints. A consciousness of This DIVINELY-Impelled Power within to do good, through the Enabling Grace of The SPIRIT, and after the Recorded Example of The Incarnate SON of GOD, thus belongs to the Believer, and he rejoices in the Privilege of thus being Rendered effectual as a Servant of The Heavenly MASTER, or as a Soldier of unshrinking valour and unfailing discipline amongst the Armies of the Faithful in the Post, which The CAPTAIN of Salvation has Appointed to be thus filled. In such proofs of devotedness to the Holy Cause of CHRIST every concurring Believer has a delight, that helps him onward in the same labours and struggles, and confirms his confidence in the Excellence of That Gospel, Which Gives Such Assurance of Triumph and of Glory in the End. The more intense the investigation of the Doctrines of CHRIST, and the more deep the reflection upon Their Origin and Tendency, the more will conviction and confirmation follow, and by witnessing the true exemplification of the genuine virtues of Christian faith in Others, in the Apostle's phrase, the bowels, the inmost Soul and Spirit are refreshed, and both solaced and feasted and sustained in such enjoyment. As Man's truest and most sublime wisdom is in the most pre-eminent and prevailing love of CHRIST, in all reverence and holy gratitude, under a sense of His Immense, Immeasurable, Inestimable Sacrifice for Human-Kind; so for the Believer in Such Revelation, amidst the rejoicings of his own heart Thereat, to witness the same exultation in Others and a corresponding and accordant exemplification of

PP